VBLA 5K (or 1 Mile) Ocean Swim -August 19

Event Summary:Whether you are a highly competitive open water swimmer or are ready to take your first leap in an ocean swim, this race is for you!

Event Details:

Check in starts at 8:00am on all race dates.

The Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association is a 501-C3 non-profit chapter of the United States Lifesaving Association. The goal of the VBLA is to promote safe beaches and ocean swimming through public education programs, advocating for lifesaving and lifeguard competitions.

The VBLA Ocean Swim Series consists of three races, the 'JK' 1 Mile Swim, a 3K Swim with a 1 Mile option and a 5K Swim with a 1 Mile Option. Swimmers may choose to swim any one of the races or all three. Race Day Registration ($50) and Check-In starts at 8:15am and finishes promptly at 9:00am. Check-In or Race Day Registration will take place at 17th Street on the beach*. All participants must wear a cap and chip timer provided by the VBLA.

If you register for more than one event, including the clinic, you will receive a discount at checkout.

2 Events - Receive $10.00 off

3 Events - Receive $20.00 off

All 4 Events -Receive $30.00 off

A special edition to the 2017 Series is an Open Water Swim Clinic to be held on June 17, 2017, featuring World Cup Champion Open Water Swimmer Emily Brunemann. Hosted Flow Swimming, this clinic will offer participants tips and practice time with one of America's most decorated open water swimmers. The clinic will be held at the oceanfront weather permitting or at Honeybee Pool if conditions are too rough.

The ‘JK’ 1-Mile Swim will be held on June 18, 2017. Competitors will start in water south of the line between the start buoy and 17th Street Guard Stand. The finish will take place at 32nd Street. Competitors must make a left shoulder turn around the buoy in front of 32nd St. and then swim in to and run up the beach and through the finish line to complete the race.

The 3K Swim or 1 Mile option will take place on July 18, 2017. 3K Competitors will start on the beach and enter the water swimming out and making a left should turn around the first buoy placed in line with the 17th Street Lifeguard Stand. Competitors must then make a left shoulder turn around the mid -point buoy located just south of 28th St. Swimmers will make a right shoulder turn around the flag located on the beach in line with the 28th St. lifeguard stand and reenter the water making another left shoulder turn around the buoy located just north of 28th Street. (Split times will be recorded at the flag). Swimmers will then continue north to 40th St. Swimmers must make a left shoulder turn around the final buoy in front of 40th St. and complete the race by racing up the beach through the finish chute.

The 1-Mile Swimmers on July 18, 2017 will start in the water south of the line created by the buoy and 25th St. lifeguard stand. Swimmers will proceed north to 40th Street. Competitors must make a left shoulder turn around the buoy in front of 40th St. and then swim in and run up the beach through the finish line to complete the race. *1-Mile Swimmers may check in at the start line at 25th Street but Race Day Registrations are only accepted at 17th St.

The 5K Swim or 1-Mile option will take place on August 20, 2017. 5K Competitors will start on the beach and enter the water swimming out and making a left shoulder turn around the buoy placed in line with the 17th Street Lifeguard Stand. Competitors must then make a left shoulder turn around the mid -point buoy located just south of 37th St. and complete a mandatory water stop. Swimmers will make a right shoulder turn around the flag located on the beach at 37th St. and reenter the water making another left shoulder turn around the buoy located just to the north of 37th Street. (Split times will be recorded at the flag). Swimmers will then continue north to 56th St. Swimmers must make a left shoulder turn around the final buoy in front of 57th St. and complete the race by racing up the beach through the finish chute.

The 1-Mile Swimmers on August 20, 2017, will start in the water south of the line created by the buoy and 41st St. lifeguard stand. Swimmers will proceed north to 56th Street. Competitors must make a left shoulder turn around the buoy in front of 57th St. and then swim in and run up the beach through the finish line to complete the race. *1-Mile Swimmers may check in at the start line at 41st Street but Race Day Registrations are only accepted at 17th St.

Awards will be given for the top 3 overall finishers by gender and age group winners in five year increments in the distance races but only to the top 3 finishers overall in the Male and Female races of the 1-Mile options. One Race Series T-Shirt will be given to each competitor that preregisters for the series but only one T-shirt per series (not per race).

Each swim starts at 9:30am on Sunday, June 18 (1 Mile), July 18 (3K or 1Mile) and August 20 (5K or 1 Mile). Each distance swim will start at 9:30am, the mile options start later. All race day check in (and Race Day Registration) will take place at 17th Street on the beach. Race Day Registrants should be at Check-in 8-8:30am. (The finish line is determined by the length of the race.)